Proverbs 26
About Course
Sprinkled throughout the book of Proverbs have been verses about the fool, the wise person’s counterpart. Proverbs 26 though will have much to say about this type of person as well as the lazy man. Toward the end we will be challenged not to gossip.
Before starting one should know that the word fool can come from 4 different Hebrew words. In Proverbs 26 the most common is “kasal” and has the idea of one who is lacking knowledge or practical experience. They are mentally sluggish. May be called stupid. This is different from the word “peti” which means one that is undiscerning, unable to distinguish between truth and falsehood whereas we would refer to them as simple. And it is different from “nabal” where the person is willfully closed to wisdom and brutishly destructive to themselves and others. We might call this person a scoffer. And kasal is different from the worse fool of all that of “letz” where you have a person who is incorrigible – they willfully rebel against God.
- ¶ As snow in summer and rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a fool.
Solomon uses lots of comparisons for us to get the picture of how horrible a fool is. In this one you have to conclude that just as is not right or good to have snow or rain during the sensitive time of harvest it is not fitting to give honor to a fool. Honor does not belong to the stupid.
- ¶ Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow, So a curse without cause shall not
- ¶ A whip for the horse, A bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the fool’s
Seems a fool is constantly in trouble for being stubborn. Only hard correction will move them.
4. ¶ Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him.
- Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own
Much discussion on these two verses in the commentaries as they surely seem to contradict themselves. It is a “on one hand you do this but on the other hand you do that” idea. Do not stoop down to the fool’s level to try to reason with him/her. Speak nothing but the truth to them. These verses come into play when you find yourself being asked the “why question?”
6. ¶ He who sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.
Fools are unreliable – and to rely on them will end up being painful for you as they will disappoint you greatly,
- Like the legs of the lame that hang limp is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
The picture is of a man whose legs are useless. The proverb is useless to the fool.
- Like one who binds a stone in a sling is he who gives honor to a fool.
Seeing the picture that is given you have to ask, “WHY would you do something like that?” as the binding of a stone to a sling causes the rock to hit you! Do not give honor to a fool!!!
- Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard Is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
- ¶ The great God who formed everything gives the fool his hire and the transgressor his
- ¶ As a dog returns to his own vomit, so a fool repeats his wages
This is just plain gross – how disappointing to see someone repeat their sins.
- ¶ Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
As we look at comparison an arrogant man is worst than a fool.
Now attention moves from the fool to the lazy man:
- ¶ The lazy man says, “There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion is in the streets!” REALLY? They can come up with the best excuses!
- ¶ As a door turns on its hinges, So does the lazy man on his bed
Were you guilty of this today? Great visual, huh?
- ¶ The lazy man buries his hand in the bowl; It wearies him to bring it back to his
- ¶ The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can answer sensibly.
He does work at his excuses.
- ¶ He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own Is like one who takes a dog by the
Now for what should be common sense – the teaching – mind your own business.
- ¶ Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death,
- Is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, “I was only joking!” There is a time to joke around but THERE IS A TIME NOT TO JOKE
- ¶ Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife
- As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife. We have contentious women but we also have contentious men!
- The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body. Talebearer- It is such a destructive sin. We have to be quick to deal with this sin for it can cause a lot of disunity.
- ¶ Fervent lips with a wicked heart Are like earthenware covered with silver dross
- ¶ He who hates, disguises it with his lips, And lays up deceit within himself;
- When he speaks kindly, do not believe him, For there are seven abominations in his heart;
- Though his hatred is covered by deceit, His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly. Those who hate are great at keeping it covered up – within them though is all types of wicked thoughts looking for an opportunity to express itself – and sure enough it will come out for others to
- ¶ Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him
Great warning – as you seek to hurt others you will yourself be hurt.
- ¶ A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it, and a flattering mouth works ruins
The reason for the lying about a person is hatred in the heart. BONUS – much said about fool- next pages has lesson on the fool
OBSERVATIONS ABOUT A FOOL
The Book of Proverbs deals with many different topics that relate to every day life. It is clear from the very beginning that Solomon wants his son to be a wise son. In sharp contrast, he does not want his son to be a fool. A fool may be some who is intellectually bright, but when it comes to spiritual things they are very dull. When the word “fool” is used in Proverbs it usually means one that is empty headed, void of understanding, thick-headed and obstinate. The fool does not have a head problem as much as he has a heart problem. To help his son understand the ways of a fool, Solomon will throughout the book of Proverbs share insights about the life and the actions of a fool. Let’s notice first how a fool lives.
These are “10 TRADEMARKS of FOOL”
- The fool rejects instructions
Prov. 1:7 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Prov. 18:2 says, “A fool has no delight in understanding, but in expressing his own heart.”
This rejection or attitude toward instruction is displayed toward the parents of a fool. Prov. 15:5 says, “A fool despises his father’s instructions.” A child that is hardheaded has started down the path to being a fool. Furthermore this attitude of rejecting instruction is displayed when someone tries to correct the fool. Prov. 23:9 says, “Do not speak in the hearing of a fool. For he will despise the wisdom of your words.”
2. The fool believes he is always Fools are very prideful.
Prov. 12:15 says, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise.” Fools are know –it – alls. You can’t teach them a thing, much less try to tell them anything. They reject the counsel of others in favor of their own counsel. The fool needs to take notice of the advise given in Prov. 28:25 – 26. “He who is of a proud heart stirs up But he who trusts in the Lord will be prospered. He who trusts in his own heart is a fool. But whoever walks wisely will be delivered.”
- Fools are rebellious and they rejoice in sins
Prov. 10:23 reveals that a fool loves to practice sin. “To do evil is like a sport to a fool. But a man ofunderstanding has wisdom.”
Prov. 15:14 tells us that the fool feeds on foolishness.
Prov. 14:9 says, “Fools mock at sin (guilt). And they not only rejoice in sin, they mock at the guilt from sin. Fools believe so strongly in practicing evil that Solomon tells us in Prov. 13:19, “it is an abomination to fools to depart from sin.”
They are good at saying evil is good and good is evil. Sin is just one big joke to the fool.
4. Fools are quick to run their mouth
Prov. 14:3 says, “In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride, but the lips of the wise will preserve them.” A fool is so conceited that he cannot hold his tongue. He is not only a know-it-all, he is a tell-it-all. To his own shame he will be quick to answer even before he hears the whole situation. See Prov. 18:13.
Prov. 15:2 says, “The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pour forth foolishness.”
Twice in chapter 10 Solomon let’s the fool know that his excessive talking is going to cause him to fall.
Prov. 10:8,10 says, a prating, (talkative) fool will fall (or brought down to ruin)
When it comes to controlling their tongue, the fool should pay close attention to Pr. 17:28 which says, “Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace. When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.”
All of us should take heed to Prov. 10:19 which says, “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking.”
- A fool has a hard time controlling their rage. He is hot-tempered.
Prov. 12:16 says, “A fool’s wrath is known at once, but a prudent man covers shame.”
Prov. 14:16-17a says, “A wise man fears and departs from evil. But a fool rages and is self-confident. A quick-tempered man acts foolishly.
Prov. 14:29 says, “He who is slow to wrath has great understanding. But he who is impulsive exalts folly.” Prov. 29:11 says, “A fool vents his feelings, but a wise man holds them back.” You are going to know what is on a fool’s mind, whether you want to or not. He will give you a piece of his mind even when he does not have any to spare.
- A fool is not someone to be trusted with responsibilities as they are very unreliable
Prov. 26:6 says, “He who sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.”
Prov. 26:8 says, “Like one who binds a stone in a sling is one who give honor to a fool.”
- Fools resist And like the scoffer, may retaliate with hatred toward you.
Prov. 17:10 says, “Rebuke is more effective for a wise man than an hundred blows on a fool.”
Prov. 27:22 says, “Though you grind a fool in a mortar, grinding him like grain with a pestle you will not remove his folly from him.” Because fools are so set in their ways, discipline that usually would change a person’s behavior has very little effect on the fool.
Prov. 9:7-9 says, “He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself. Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; Rebuke a wise person and he will love you. Give instructions to a wise person and he will be still wiser. Teach a just man and he will increase in learning.” You can tell a lot about your character by the way you respond to a rebuke.
- A fool will repeat his mistakes and return to his sins
Prov. 26:11 says, “As a dog returns to his own vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.”
The fool so despises instruction and is so stubborn that he fails to learn from his own mistakes. He returns and does the same thing over and over, getting the same results.
- Fools are reckless with riches and possessions.
Prov. 21:20 says, “ In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all that he has. (NIV)
Prov. 14:24 tells us, “The crown of the wise is their riches, but the foolishness of fools is (yields) folly.” No wonder Prov. 19:10 says, “luxury is not fitting for a fool.”
- A fool’s folly ruins his
Prov. 19:3 says, “A man’s own folly ruins his life, yet his heart rages against the Lord.” (NIV) And not only does he ruin his own life, he ruins his parents life. Prov. 19:13 says, “A foolish son is the ruin of his father.” And Prov. 17:21 says, “He that has a scoffer for a son does so to his own sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy.”
Prov. 10:21 tells us more of this ruin. It says, “The lips of the righteous feed many, but fool’s die for lack of wisdom.”
Prov. 3:35 tells us that “the wise shall inherit glory, but shame shall be the legacy of fools.”
Prov. 11:29 says, “He who troubles his own house will inherit the wind. And the fool will be the servant to the wise of heart.”
Prov. 16:22 (NIV) teaches us that “Understanding is a fountain of life to those who have it, but folly brings punishment to fools.”
Prov. 19:29 (KJV) follows that up by saying, “Judgments are prepared for scorners and stripes for the back of fools.”
Here are ten trademarks of a fool. Did you notice any characteristics that reminded you of yourself?
Solomon appeals to the fool to change his life. In Prov. 1: 22 – 23 Solomon says, “How long you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning and fools hate knowledge. Turn at my rebuke. Surely I will pour out my spirit on you. I will make my words known to you.”
In Prov. 8 wisdom calls out to the fool to hear her voice. In verse 5 she appeals to the simple and the fools by saying, “O you simple ones, understand prudence and you fools, be of an understanding heart.”
What happens to fools who will not get “understanding?”
Prov. 1:32: “For the turning away of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them.” And see again Prov. 19:29
Solomon reminds his son in Prov. 13:20 stay away from fools. He told his son, “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.”